Hamas has softened its place in its newest Gaza cease-fire proposal however is sticking to a key demand that has been a serious hurdle to a deal, in line with two senior officers from international locations concerned within the negotiations.
That has dampened prospects for an imminent settlement, at the same time as U.S. and Israeli officers have expressed optimism now that the talks are transferring ahead after weeks of impasse.
Hamas offered a counterproposal on Wednesday. The 2 officers stated that Hamas wished worldwide assurances that, as soon as an preliminary truce kicks in, either side will hold negotiating till they attain a ultimate deal to finish the conflict and free all the hostages remaining in Gaza.
In impact, Hamas needs to make sure that it doesn’t flip over most of the hostages just for Israel to restart the conflict, one of many officers stated. Each senior officers spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to talk publicly.
Israeli negotiators instantly rejected that demand, the 2 officers stated. Israel needs the choice to renew combating if it deems it mandatory. With out such leverage, Hamas would possibly drag its toes, successfully acquiring an undeclared everlasting cease-fire, one of many officers argued.
On the coronary heart of the dispute is the query of the way forward for Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has vowed to destroy Hamas and topple its rule within the Palestinian enclave. Hamas hopes {that a} everlasting cease-fire will permit it to cling to energy.
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